Layer-To-Layer Playback Synchronization - PRG MBOX User Manual

Layer-To-Layer Playback Synchronization

Mbox offers the ability to synchronize playback of a designated master layer on one server to a layer on another server.
A layer on one server can sync to the same numbered layer on another server, or one of 32 sync streams can be selected
for both sync mastering and slaving.
Note: Mbox Studio can only output 16 sync streams, and Mini 8; both can receive 32 streams (e.g. from Designer)
Layer Sync typically requires that most or all of the layer playback settings (e.g. Folder, File, In-Frame, Out-Frame, etc.)
between two synced layers would be identical with exception of the playmode, which would designate master or slave:
+ 140 > 149 - Layer Slave
+ 150 > 159 - Layer Master - FWD Loop
+ 160 > 169 - Layer Master - FWD Once
In practice, it is possible make various parameters of the master and slave layers different to each other, and even
to have different movies. Differing parameter values can lead to odd results however, if the two layers are part of a
blended/overlapped system or if the lengths of the master and slave movies are not the same. While layer sync is quite
accurate when used between Mbox servers, it is not perfect. For perfect synchronization between Mbox servers, it is
necessary to use the MboxTime functionality of the Mbox application. (Refer to
To select which stream is used by a server while using layer sync, adjust the Sync Stream parameter appropriately on
both Master and Slave:
+ 0 = Layer to Layer by layer number - This mode only works from one server to another, not on the same server.
When Layer 1 on a server is set to a Master playmode and Stream 0, then Layer 1 on any other server (but not the
same server) can be set to the Slave playmode and Stream 0, causing the slave layer to sync to the master layer.
+ 1 = Stream 1 - Any layer can be set to Master and Stream 1, and any layer on any server set to Slave and the same
Stream # will sync to that master layer.
+ 2 = Stream 2
+ 3 = Stream 3, and so on up to...
+ 32 = Stream 32
CAUTION! Having two or more layers set to one of the master playmodes and having the same stream number will
cause serious issues with any slave layers set to that sync stream.
With a sync relationship set up between master and slave layers, the Timecode Offset parameter on the slave layer can
be used to fine tune the sync by up to 127 frames in a forward or backward direction.
For a complete parameter map, refer to
Specifying the Network Interface for Layer Sync
As when using network timecode, when using layer sync, each Mbox server must be told which Ethernet interface is
being used for synchronization messages. See the
To prevent layer sync streams from transmitting from a particular server, this preference can be set to "Local." When
syncing from server to server, select an active Ethernet interface to use for the sync streams to be received/transmitted
from. In typical setups, the selected interface should use the same subnet on all machines, whether the server is
sending or receiving sync.
MBOX® USER MANUAL
108
"Play Modes" on page 216 .
"Specifying the Network Interface for Sync"
"MboxTime" on page 109 for details)
on page 107